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UNRWA Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the International Organization for Peace, Care and Relief

11 January 2010

11 January 2010

East Jerusalem

On Sunday, 10 January 2010, UNRWA signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Organization for Peace, Care and Relief (IOPCR), a leading Libya-based humanitarian organisation.

The signing ceremony was held at UNRWA’s office in Cairo. The memorandum was signed by IOPCR’s Secretary General, Jamal Al Grable, and by UNRWA’s Representative of the Commissioner-General, Mr Peter Ford.

The memorandum paves the way for a subsequent Cooperation Agreement which will lay the base for a comprehensive programme of cooperation between the lead UN agency responsible for Palestine refugees and the IOPCR. Signature of the memorandum follows visits in recent days by a delegation of IOPCR officials to Amman, the West Bank and Gaza. Following the signature of the memorandum, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, Ms Karen Koning AbuZayd, expressed her delight, stating: “This agreement heralds the beginning of a very strong partnership with the IOPCR. We very much look forward to working with this organisation to improve the lives of Palestine refugees.”

The IOPCR is an international non-governmental organisation (NGO) registered with the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council for NGOs. Established in 1999, it enjoys an independent legal and financial status. It is headquartered in Tripoli, Libya, with branches in several other countries.

Background Information

UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth in needs. As a result, the UNRWA programme budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s programme budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.4 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.

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